About Me

I'm a stay-at-home mother of two. Despite the insanity of my life, I always find time to read...it is my outlet and my passion. I also love to cook and appreciate a good glass (or bottle) of wine. If you would like to contact me, my e-mail is rnawrot@cfl.rr.com.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Today's Monday Movie Meme from the Bumbles is all about the scary movies (personally, I've been waiting for this one!). Awhile back, we talked about movies that traumatized us as children, and yes, most of them were the horror flicks, and yes, you may see some of them on today's list. For me, however, I didn't have to be 14 to enjoy a good horror flick...I still watch them! This list is a labor of love!

Jaws - Oh come on guys, you knew this one was coming! I mention this movie at least once a month.

The Exorcist - spinning heads and pea soup has never been so terrifying! The cherry on top is the theme song written by wunderkind Mike Oldfield.

Pet Semetary - I love this one so much, I have it on my iPod. The effects are a tiny bit corny, but the premise of burying things in a special place and having them come back to life...changed...is classic Stephen King.

The Shining - and on the topic of Stephen King, I have to give this one its share of love too. The music, the "thing" that lives in one particular hotel room, the murdered twins, redrum, and Jack Nicholson - this is horror at its absolute best! I could watch it over and over again (which I guess you can do when you stay at the hotel where this movie was shot).

The Grudge - watching this as an adult, I had issues sleeping after I'd watched it. I had particular issues with the black-haired girl who makes that (what is it?) creaking sound, as she crawls up the stairs. Thinking about it makes me squirm in my chair!

Hostel - One should never watch Hostel on a full stomach. This was the most gratuitous display of violence I've ever seen. Period.

Halloween - in musing through all of the slasher movies I saw as a kid, I think this one wins on all counts. Friday the 13th was close, but everyone could have learned a lesson or two about suspense from John Carpenter.

Silence of the Lambs - this one is not only psychologically thrilling, but just an overall cinematic masterpiece. If I've watched this one once, I've watched it several dozen times Clarise.

Tenebre or Suspiria - you can't talk scary without listing at least one flick from the Italian master of horror Dario Argento, who has made enough movies to keep you busy for awhile. Campy and grotesque, and I love every minute of them. In this case, I couldn't decide between the two so I listed both.

The Blair Witch Project - this film got alot of positive and negative hype, but you just can't take anything away from a movie that works on your own overactive imagination. It is hard to get this one out of your head, even after you have turned it off and tried to go to sleep.

I suppose I should stop, huh? I could probably list ten more, but I'd lose you at that point. I find that most people either love scary movies, or cannot watch them at all. Which camp are you in? Anybody up for a horror marathon?

I enjoy a good scary movie every now and then, but the thing is, very few actually scare me. It's the same with books, and it makes me sad. Being scared by a good book or movie can actually be a lot of fun. Anyway, like Melody I was going to mention The Ring. That one really did scare me!

Actually I loved Jaws. The people in Blair Witch were too stupid for words, so I could avoid being scared by yelling at the idiots on the screen (why don't they listen to me?).

Did you see the original The Haunting? As in the B&W 1963 version. Perhaps because I saw this movie when I was younger than 10, but it's such a scary movie that I get scared just writing out the title!

I am not a huge fan of horror films, I admit. I like a good psychological thriller, but most movies that wear the lable "horror" make me giggle rather than want to run away in fear. Silence of the Lambs is a good one!

Wendy - there ARE alot of bad horror movies out there. I do a bit of research before I will watch one. I want the bang for the buck!

Rhapsody - that is good! I try to include at least one non-commercial movie in the bunch. I'm waiting for C.B. James to comment. He always comes up with one that is off the radar!

Susan - haha! Now what on earth could have made you hate Pet Semetary? The resurrected cat? The resurrected child? Nothing offensive there! Oh, I would definitely go see a movie version of The Historian. LOVED that book!

I agree with Susan that the topiary change from the book to the movie in The Shining was disappointing - but I still think the movie was effective - I don't like watching it alone, but I can't stop myself!

Silence of the Lambs is a goodie - the sequel with Ray Liotta was more sicko but for spine tingling chill the original kicked ass. All thanks to perfect casting.

Hey, I didn't know you were into horror flicks! I LOVE them, it's my favourite genre! I have all the films you've listed on DVD (except Tenebre or Suspiria) and Jaws is definitely in my favourite top 10 films of all time! I also loved The Shining, Jack Nicholson is fab! The Exorcist was great but I liked the book more. The Grudge was creepy...Hostel was a good one too. Oh there're all good! :D